Over 5,000 Families to Own Land Through Revived Housing Program
More than 5,000 Filipino families from low-income communities are set to finally own land through the government’s revived on-site housing program. This initiative is part of a renewed push to address the country’s housing backlog and uplift vulnerable communities.
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling approved a proposal from the Social Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC) to restart 34 on-site Community Mortgage Program (CMP) projects nationwide. “We need to prioritize high-impact and implementable CMP projects and assist our beneficiaries transform their communities,” Aliling said. He also emphasized that this aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to promote pro-poor, people-centered housing programs.
Initial Sites and Timeline for CMP Rollout
The SHFC has identified eight initial CMP sites in various locations, including Pasig, Valenzuela, Tanay in Rizal, San Fernando City in Pampanga, Roxas City, Iloilo City, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte. Preparations are underway to begin awarding these sites to qualified member-beneficiaries by October.
SHFC President and CEO Federico Laxa described the projects as symbols of hope, dignity, and stability for thousands of Filipino families. “This move reflects our strong commitment to address the housing needs of the underserved through direct community empowerment,” he noted.
Future Development and Incremental Housing
Laxa mentioned that the priority CMP projects might see further development since many of these sites have been planned for several years. The program may also extend to incremental housing, allowing beneficiaries to improve their homes with government assistance once financially able. “We will be more transformative with our CMP projects now, with consideration to incorporating development in our sites,” he explained.
Enhancements to Accelerate CMP Implementation
During the initial roll-out of the government’s mass housing program in 2022, all CMP projects were temporarily put on hold to focus on vertical housing. After comprehensive reviews, key improvements have been introduced to speed up CMP project implementation and remove obstacles.
One major reform is the addition of a credit component beyond the initial loan for lot acquisition. This extra funding is intended for site upgrading, ensuring that CMP communities shed the label of informal or blighted settlements.
The SHFC will also partner with other agencies to expand services available to beneficiaries. For instance, they plan to collaborate with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) to offer skills training and capacity-building programs that enhance long-term income opportunities for community members.
Streamlined Processes and Community Empowerment
To facilitate faster evaluation and approval of CMP projects, a dedicated task force has been established. The CMP is a people-led housing finance and community development program that helps legally organized low-income groups acquire and develop land collectively.
Its main goal is to enable residents of depressed areas to gain legal ownership of the lots they occupy or relocate to, ultimately building sustainable and resilient communities.
Loan Details and Program Impact
Beneficiaries can borrow between P400,000 and P750,000 to cover land acquisition, site development, and house construction or improvement. CMP loans carry an affordable 6 percent annual interest rate and can be paid over a maximum of 25 years through equal monthly installments.
According to DHSUD, reviving CMP projects under the SHFC will strengthen the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program. Launched in September 2022, the 4PH aims to build one million housing units annually until 2028 to reduce the country’s housing backlog of 6.5 million.
For more news and updates on housing programs, visit Filipinokami.com.
